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Separator characteristics for increasing performance of microbial fuel cells
Xiaoyuan Zhang1, Shaoan Cheng, Xin Wang
1State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China.
Environmental Science & Technology
|November 21, 2009
Summary
Non-biodegradable glass fiber separators significantly improve microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance by increasing power density and Coulombic efficiency (CE). These separators offer a stable, long-term solution compared to degradable cloth separators for enhanced MFC operation.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) face challenges in achieving high Coulombic efficiency (CE) and low internal resistance.
- Separator materials critically influence MFC performance, power output, and long-term stability.
- Existing separators like J-cloth degrade over time, impacting efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of non-biodegradable glass fiber (GF) separators on MFC performance.
- To compare GF separators with traditional J-cloth (JC) and cation exchange membranes (CEMs).
- To optimize MFC configurations for maximum power density and CE.
Main Methods:
- MFCs were constructed using glass fiber mats (GF1: 1.0 mm, GF0.4: 0.4 mm), CEM, and JC separators.
- Experiments involved varying separator placement (S-configuration) and electrode spacing.
- Configurations tested included single separator electrode assembly (SSEA) and double separator electrode assembly (DSEA).
Main Results:
- GF1 separators achieved higher power densities (46 W/m³) compared to GF0.4 (36 W/m³) and CEM (14 W/m³) in the S-configuration.
- DSEA configuration with GF1 separators and reduced electrode spacing (0.3 cm) yielded maximum power (696 W/m³) due to decreased ohmic resistance (2.2 Ω).
- GF1 separators improved CE from 40% to 81%, significantly outperforming JC (20-40%), and demonstrated non-biodegradability.
Conclusions:
- Non-biodegradable glass fiber separators are superior to J-cloth for enhancing MFC power density and CE.
- Separator material properties, including biodegradability and mass transfer characteristics, are crucial for MFC performance.
- Optimized configurations and reduced electrode spacing with GF1 separators offer a promising pathway for efficient MFCs.
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